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City of San Leandro

Mandatory recycling in San Leandro has been in effect since July 1, 2012 for businesses and institutions with 4 or more cubic yards of garbage service as well as multi-family properties with 5 or more units. Phase 2 of the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance began July 1, 2015 for all businesses and institutions (regardless of garbage service volume). Requirements to collect food scraps and compostable paper separately from garbage are effective as of July 1, 2016 for businesses, institutions, and multi-family properties.

Compliance Requirements

All businesses and institutions (regardless of garbage service volume) must:

Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for recyclable materials.

Businesses and institutions that generate significant quantities* of organics (food scraps and/or compostable paper), such as restaurants and grocery stores: Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for organics.

Businesses and institutions that generate significant quantities* of organics, such as restaurants and grocery stores: Place food scraps and compostable paper in separate organics cart/bin for organics collection.

Ensure recycling and organics containers are contamination free. Only recyclable materials may be placed in recycling containers and only organics may be placed in organics containers.

Provide information at least annually to employees, tenants, and contractors describing how to properly use the recycling, garbage, and organics containers, as well as no later than 14 days after move-in and no less than 14 days prior to move-out of tenant businesses.

* The Ordinance prohibits the disposal of any food scraps or compostable paper in the garbage. However, for practical use, organics are considered to be “significant” when 10 or more gallons (think two 5-gallon buckets full) are disposed of in a garbage cart or 20 or more gallons (four 5-gallon buckets full) of organics are disposed of in a garbage bin.

Additionally, ACWMA Ordinance 2008-01 requires businesses and institutions in Alameda County generating 4 or more cubic yards of garbage per week to separate all plant debris from garbage and recyclable materials. Those with on-site service must place plant debris in a designated organics collection bin. Businesses can arrange for the removal of plant debris by their landscaper. The landscaper must haul to an approved facility and must deposit plant debris in the facility’s designated “clean green” area.

Property owners and managers of multi-family properties with 5 or more units must:

Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for recyclable materials at the same or at an equally convenient location as garbage.

New! Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for organics (food scraps and compostable paper) at the same or at an equally convenient location as garbage.

Provide information at least annually to employees, tenants, and contractors describing how to properly use the recycling, garbage, and organics containers, as well as no later than 14 days after move-in and no less than 14 days prior to move-out.

Additionally, ACWMA Ordinance 2008-01 requires multi-family properties in Alameda County generating 4 or more cubic yards of garbage per week to separate all plant debris from garbage and recyclable materials. Those with on-site service must place plant debris in a designated organics collection bin. Multi-family property owners or managers can arrange for the removal of plant debris by their landscaper. The landscaper must haul to an approved facility and must deposit plant debris in the facility’s designated “clean green” area.

Services Provided

San Leandro has two distinct service areas for garbage, recycling and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper and plant debris) collection service. If you are unsure which service area you are in, check your garbage bill. If the vendor is Alameda County Industries (ACI), you are in the service area of the City of San Leandro. If the vendor is Waste Management of Alameda County, you are in the Oro Loma Sanitary District.

Weekly pick-up of one 96-gallon recycling cart and one 96-gallon organics cart is provided at no additional cost to commercial garbage customers by both service providers. Multi-family buildings with two or more units that share service are eligible for bin or cart recycling service. ACI and Waste Management of Alameda County provide free onsite waste and recycling assessments upon request.

Support Materials

Below are downloadable support materials specific to the City of San Leandro portion of the city that is serviced by Alameda County Industries. Additional support materials for any community are also available for businesses and institutions and multi-family properties.